Villas-Boas denies tactics ruse

Andre Villas-Boas says a leaked note containing team selection and tactics for Chelsea’s Champions League match against Napoli was genuine.

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport released pictures of the alleged Chelsea line-up hours before the round-of-16 first leg on Tuesday, after securing the tactics sheet from Chelsea’s hotel near Naples.

Contrary to the contents of the note, none of Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole or John Terry started the match, leading to theories of Villas-Boas attempting to fool Napoli with misinformation.

But the Portuguese coach, who saw his team go down 3-1 in the Stadio San Paolo, denied the incident was a part of an intentional ruse.

“We always try different formations,” Villas-Boas said.

“It wasn’t going to be the definite formation. We try different options, but it was our mistake.”

“We left it (the note) behind. The people in the hotel could have done their work and thrown it away in the trash, but they didn’t do that. That’s their fault.”